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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 19 Mar 2009 [PDF]
• March 18 airpower summary: A-10 hits target AFNS 19 Mar 2009 -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the ISAF in Afghanistan during operations.
• US Returns Reconstruction Money to Iraq VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- In March 2003, six years ago, the United States invaded Iraq to oust Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
• Continued security gains in Rashid Army News 19 Mar 2009 -- Lt. Col. Dave Bair met with a local Sons of Iraq leader to discuss their continuing support of security improvements in the East Rashid district.
• On the Ground: U.S. Efforts Improve Detainee Care, Security in Iraq AFPS 19 Mar 2009 -- US forces in Iraq have put an emphasis on training, providing courses to Iraqis that encompass a wide range of operations.
• Six Years Into Operation Iraqi Freedom, Prospects Improve for Iraqi People AFPS 19 Mar 2009 -- Gates: rospects for the Iraqi people “get better every day,” with the Iraqis now solving their problems “politically.”
• Hopes High, Violence Low, But Problems Remain at 6th Anniversary of Iraq War VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- This week marks the sixth anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq that deposed Saddam Hussein.
• Airmen reflect on 6th anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom AFNS 19 Mar 2009 -- Airmen in the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing here took a moment to reflect on previous deployments since 2003.
• AF Raven B operators maintain 'eyes-on' for ground forces AFNS 19 Mar 2009 -- Tiny Raven B UAS hovered above the ground for a moment then fell to the ground, waiting for Sergeant Tomkiewicz to retrieve it.
• US Preparing Possible 'Surge' in Afghanistan VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- US could soon turn to a "surge" of military might and civilian expertise in its efforts to crush the growing insurgency in Afghanistan.
• On the Ground: U.S. Troops Help to Build Road, Security in Afghanistan AFPS 19 Mar 2009 -- US forces are paving the way for a better quality of life in Afghanistan.
• Bomb Blast Kills Afghan Lawmaker VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- A roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan has killed a prominent lawmaker who was openly critical of the Taliban.
• Crew navigates tanker out of trouble AFNS 19 Mar 2009 -- "Any aircraft, any station, this is Shell 73. Emergency. We've lost complete navigational capability. Request assistance."
• 13th ESC unit to move from OIF to OEF Army News 19 Mar 2009 -- Soldiers from 15th Sustainment Brigade's 154th Transportation Company soon will be re-positioned to Afghanistan.
• US to Attend Shanghai Group Meeting on Afghanistan VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- State Department confirmed sending senior diplomat to conference on Afghanistan next week of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
• UN: Political Consensus Crucial In Lead up to Afghanistan Election VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- Top UN envoy: Political consensus is vital to that country's stability, particularly in lead up to presidential election.
• Priorities in Afghanistan clear, but resources and will needed UN News Centre 19 Mar 2009 -- International priorities in Afghanistan – including security and stability throughout the coming elections – remain valid.
• Risks Of Expanding Scope Of U.S. Strikes Within Pakistan Debated RFE/RL 19 Mar 2009 -- Surrounded by dry mountains, the dusty city of Quetta houses more than 1 million people.
• India, US discuss terror, unrest in Pakistan IRNA 19 Mar 2009 -- India and US discussed various issues including terrorism and unrest in neighbouring Pakistan.
• Pak-Iran-Afghan summit in Tehran to discuss regional issues: FM IRNA 19 Mar 2009 -- Pak FM Qureshi: Trilateral summit meeting of Pakistan-Iran-Afghanistan has been organized in Tehran in May this year.
• US agrees to address to Pakistan's concerns over drone attacks: FM IRNA 19 Mar 2009 -- FM Qureshi: US has agreed to address to Pakistan’s concern over drone attacks on the tribal regions.
• Islamic courts start function in Pakistan's insurgency-hit Swat IRNA 19 Mar 2009 -- Islamic courts started function in Pakistan’s Swat valley as was demanded by the Taliban militants.
• Kidnapped Canadian Appeals For Help In Pakistan RFE/RL 19 Mar 2009 -- Journalist abducted by the Taliban in western Pakistan last year has appealed for help, saying she can no longer withstand the ordeal.
• UN wants to speak to kidnappers of official in Pakistan IRNA 19 Mar 2009 -- UN is engaged in the ongoing effort to gain the safe release of John Solecki.

Defense Policy / Programs

• US Commander: DPRK Missile Launch a 'Significant Threat' VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- US military officers: If DPRK's planned satellite launch succeeds, it would represent a significant threat to global security.
• Deterrence Still Key to National Security, General Says AFPS 19 Mar 2009 -- Deterrence remains as central to America’s national security as it was during the Cold War.
• U.S. Commander for Korea Calls Alliance Lynchpin for Stability AFPS 19 Mar 2009 -- Commander of US Forces Korea: US-South Korea alliance has turned into a lynchpin for stability in Northeast Asia.
• USFK commander tells senators tours in Korea to be 'normalized' Army News 19 Mar 2009 -- Quality of life for Soldiers and their families is one of three key priorities for the commander of United States Forces Korea.
• US Admiral Calls for Renewed US-China Military Talks VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- Top US military commander in the Pacific region: Recent Chinese actions have confused him about that country's strategic intentions.
• More Work Needed in Military Relationship With China, Admiral Says AFPS 19 Mar 2009 -- US has made “real headway” in improving relations with China, but “the relationship isn’t where we want it to be.”
• Navy Stabilizes Force as it Nears End-strength Goal, Admiral Says AFPS 19 Mar 2009 -- After years of downsizing, the U.S. Navy has nearly achieved its end-strength goal of 329,000 sailors.
• Japan, U.S. forces come together to Guard, Protect AFNS 19 Mar 2009 -- US and Japanese forces practiced defending the Misawa Air Base during Exercise Guard and Protect Exercise March 11 through 13.
• Luke Airmen advise Moroccan air force on F-16 operations AFNS 19 Mar 2009 -- Members of the Royal Moroccan air force traveled 6,000 miles to speak with Luke Air Force Base Airmen.
• Deadline for Creating Electronic Service Records Approaches Navy NewsStand 19 Mar 2009 -- As of March 19, more than 128,000 Sailors have established a self-service electronic service record (ESR) account as the April target date approaches.
• ATG Western Pacific Embarks GW, Verifies Combat Readiness Navy NewsStand 19 Mar 2009 -- USS George Washington (CVN 73) Sailors began a weeklong limited training evaluation with Afloat Training Group (ATG) Western Pacific Detachment Yokosuka March 9.
• Submarine Base New London Tears Down to Build Up Navy NewsStand 19 Mar 2009 -- Naval Submarine Base New London opening a new crane maintenance facility and beginning the deconstruction of two former barracks buildings.
• Mission Develops African Partners in Maritime Safety, Security AFPS 19 Mar 2009 -- Improving maritime capabilities of West and Central African navies just one key focus areas for the Africa Partnership Station.
• 1 HBCT Preps For Rapid Deployment Army News 19 Mar 2009 -- Soldiers of 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, recently practiced an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise.
• Stimulus Package to Fund New Hospital at Fort Hood AFPS 19 Mar 2009 -- The federal economic stimulus package will provide $621 million to build a new military hospital at Fort Hood, Texas.
• Medical Infrastructure Affects Readiness, Pentagon's Top Doctor Says AFPS 19 Mar 2009 -- The more than 1,000 major facilities that make up the Defense Department’s medical infrastructure are key strategic national assets.
• TOCDF Destroys 50 Percent of Mustard Ton Container Stockpile Army News 19 Mar 2009 -- Tooele Chemical Agent Disposal Facility hit 50 percent completion at Deseret Chemical Depot.
• Russia says missile defense deal with U.S. possible RIA Novosti 19 Mar 2009 -- Russian FM spokesman: There is scope for Russia and the United States to reach an agreement on missile defense.
• Russia to conduct 3 tests of Bulava missile in 2009 - Navy RIA Novosti 19 Mar 2009 -- The Russian Navy will conduct at least three test launches of the new Bulava sea-based ballistic missile in 2009.
• Russia's submarine fleet has 60 vessels in active service RIA Novosti 19 Mar 2009 -- The Russian Navy maintains a fleet of about 60 nuclear-powered and diesel-electric submarines.
• Russian Air Force starts 4-day exercise north of Arctic Circle RIA Novosti 19 Mar 2009 -- The Russian Air Force has launched a four-day exercise near the city of Vorkuta, north of the Arctic Circle.
• Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 19 Mar 2009
• Gaggle with White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton aboard Air Force One, 3-19-09 The White House 19 Mar 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for March 19, 2009
• Boeing Completes P-8A Poseidon Loads Calibration Testing Ahead of Schedule Boeing 19 Mar 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] last week completed loads calibration testing of the first P-8A Poseidon test aircraft two weeks ahead of schedule. Loads calibration is one of the prerequisites for the U.S. Navy flight clearance process.
• Boeing Delivers 1st JTRS GMR Radio Engineering Development Models to US Army Boeing 19 Mar 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered the first two engineering development models (EDM) of the Joint Tactical Radio System Ground Mobile Radios (JTRS GMR) to the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) program on Feb. 27.
• EADS Defence & Security is awarded licence for civil use of MSSR 2000 I secondary radar by German air traffic control organisation DFS EADS 19 Mar 2009 -- The MSSR 2000 I secondary radar from EADS Defence & Security (DS) has been licensed for use in civil air traffic control following an exhaustive certification process by the German air traffic control organisation DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH.
• General Dynamics Amphibious Systems Achieves CMMI® Level 5 Maturity Rating for Software Engineering General Dynamics 19 Mar 2009 -- General Dynamics Amphibious Systems has achieved the Maturity Level 5 rating on the SEI’s Capability Maturity Model® Integration (CMMI) Version 1.2, the highest maturity rating a company can obtain in a combined systems engineering, software engineering and supplier sourcing process evaluation.
• Lockheed Martin Receives $665.6 Million Contract To Upgrade Taiwan Navy P-3C Maritime Patrol And Reconnaissanceaircraft Lockheed Martin 19 Mar 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has been awarded a $665.6 million contract to upgrade the Taiwan Navy’s P-3C maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.
• Lockheed Martin, Hellenic Air Force Celebrate Inauguration Of Newest Advanced F-16 Fighter Lockheed Martin 19 Mar 2009 -- Ceremonies were held today at Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] in Fort Worth, Texas, to commemorate the F-16 Peace Xenia IV program for Greece.
• First U.S. Marine Pilots Lockheed Martin F-35 Lockheed Martin 19 Mar 2009 -- Maj. Joseph T. "O.D." Bachmann today became the first U.S. Marine Corps pilot to fly the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II, logging the flight-test program’s 90th mission. He is the fifth pilot to fly the stealthy, multi-role fighter.
• United Kingdom Announces F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Purchase Lockheed Martin 19 Mar 2009 -- British Defense Secretary John Hutton announced on Wednesday that the United Kingdom will purchase three Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35B Lightning II operational test aircraft, signaling the U.K.’s commitment to the upcoming Operational Test and Evaluation phase of the Joint Strike Fighter program. Hutton made the announcement during a visit to Washington, D.C.
• Raytheon Awarded $106 Million for Joint Standoff Weapon C-1 Production Raytheon 19 Mar 2009 -- The U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon Company a $106 million contract for production of the Joint Standoff Weapon C-1.

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICES OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT United Nations 19 Mar 2009
• Palestinian political rivals to reconvene next week in Cairo RIA Novosti 19 Mar 2009 -- Fatah and Hamas, along with other Palestinian factions, will reconvene next week in Cairo to continue talks.
• Israel Arrests Hamas Politicians in West Bank After Talks Collapse VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- Israeli soldiers have arrested a number of Hamas politicians in the West Bank.
• Israeli troops arrest 10 Hamas leaders in West Bank raid RIA Novosti 19 Mar 2009 -- Israeli troops arrested 10 Hamas leaders in a pre-dawn raid in the West Bank.
• OPT: From Guangzhou to Gaza - underground IRIN 19 Mar 2009 -- The main kitchenware supplier in Gaza, Al-Dahshan Company, last received a shipment from Israel over two years ago through the Karni crossing.
• Russia stands firm on sovereignty of Abkhazia, South Ossetia RIA Novosti 19 Mar 2009 -- Russia will not back away from recognition of Abkhazia and S Ossetia in order to begin a dialogue on relations with Georgia.
• AU Condemns Attacks on Peacekeepers in Somalia VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- The African Union has condemned a roadside bomb attack in Somalia that killed one AU peacekeeper and wounded two others in the capital, Mogadishu.
• AU Welcomes UN Debate to Bolster Peacekeeping Missions Across Africa VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- AU has welcomed ongoing UN Security Council debate on the need to bolster the AU's capacity.
• DRC: Villages abandoned as militia rampage in the east IRIN 19 Mar 2009 -- Whole villages are being abandoned as civilians flee attacks by Rwandan Hutu militia and Ugandan rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
• DR Congo: militias must go, but security forces need discipline, says UN envoy UN News Centre 19 Mar 2009 -- Top UN envoy: It is necessary to stop the activity of armed groups, but also to ensure security forces have strong discipline.
• Kosovo: pace of UN mission's reconfiguration picking up - Ban UN News Centre 19 Mar 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban: UNIMIK has stepped up the pace of its adaptation to the changing situation on the ground.

News Reports

• Asia Diplomats Cautious on North Korea Detention of US Journalists VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- Silence is defining the early hours of what may become a tense negotiation between the United States and North Korea.
• Reports: North Korean Military Detains 2 American Journalists VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- South Korean media say North Korea's military has detained two American journalists along the country's northern border.
• Two U.S. reporters detained in N. Korea RIA Novosti 19 Mar 2009 -- Two US journalists were detained by N Korean border guards at the border between China and North Korea.
• Mexico Arrests Top Member of Sinaloa Cartel VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- Mexican authorities say they have arrested the son of one of the country's top drug lords.
• Southern African Nations Refuse to Recognize Madagascar Leader VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- A bloc of Southern African nations says it will not recognize Andry Rajoelina as Madagascar's new president.
• SADC Leaders Meet Thursday, Likely to Suspend Madagascar's New Government VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- Southern African Development Community's peace and security troika meeting to discuss the political crisis in Madagascar.
• Citizens in Madagascar React to New Government VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- Madagascar's newly installed President Andry Rajoelina held his first cabinet meeting and met with the diplomatic corps.
• New Bin Laden Tape Calls for Somali President's Ouster VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- An audio recording attributed to al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden denounces Somalia's new president, and urges Somalis to topple him.
• Somalis to Demonstrate in Support of Government's Peace Efforts VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- Mogadishu residents are expected to demonstrate today (Thursday) in support of the new government's efforts to restore peace to Somalia.
• Russia to continue legal support for alleged arms dealer RIA Novosti 19 Mar 2009 -- Russia will not interfere in the trial of an alleged Russian arms dealer arrested in Thailand, but will provide him with legal assistance.
• Somalia works out set of measures on tackling piracy RIA Novosti 19 Mar 2009 -- Somalia has worked out a set of measures to make the fight against piracy in the region more effective.
• Pakistani President Weakened by Political Showdown VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- Pakistan's President signed an order this week reinstating the popular Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who was fired in November 2007.
• Pakistani President formally restores deposed Chief Justice IRNA 19 Mar 2009 -- Pakistani President Zardari restored deposed Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry as the Chief Justice of Pakistan.
• US Rejects Mugabe Calls to End Zimbabwe Sanctions VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- The U.S. State Department has rejected calls from Zimbabwe's president, Robert Mugabe, to lift sanctions against him, other top officials and their associates.
• Nigerian Vigilantes Help Police Fight Crime VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- Nigerian vigilantes have become a significant force in the battle to reduce crime.
• Cuba Agrees to Restore Ties with Costa Rica VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- Cuba has agreed to restore diplomatic relations with Costa Rica, just one day after Costa Rican President Oscar Arias announced his country would re-establish the ties.
• Costa Rica, El Salvador to restore ties with Cuba RIA Novosti 19 Mar 2009 -- Leaders of Costa Rica and El Salvador have announced plans to re-establish diplomatic ties with Cuba.
• Haiti: UN Council mission reports strides in security, worrisome poverty UN News Centre 19 Mar 2009 -- Haiti is making strides in security sector and judicial reform but continues to grapple with widespread poverty and vulnerability to disasters.
• Chechen MPs protest European support of independence movement RIA Novosti 19 Mar 2009 -- Lawmakers in south Russia's Chechnya have protested against plans voiced by European Parliament members to form a faction to discuss Chechen independence.
• Jailed Iranian Blogger Dies; Others Arrested VOA 19 Mar 2009 -- Iranian authorities announced a broad crackdown on obscene and anti-Islamic Web sites.
• EU Provides Funds To Make Interpol More Accessible In Central Asia RFE/RL 19 Mar 2009 -- EU has launched a 3 million euro ($4 million) project aimed at improving Interpol access in Central Asia.
• Liberia: UN envoy warns of underlying fragility despite progress UN News Centre 19 Mar 2009 -- Top UN envoy to the West African nation today cautioned that significant challenges remain in the areas of security and the rule of law.
• Thales's Liberty Multiband Land Mobile Radio Available Under GSA Blanket Purchase Agreement Thales 19 Mar 2009 -- Thales Communications, Inc., a pioneer and global leader in the development, manufacture, and support of multiband, software-defined radio (SDR) equipment, announces its selection as an Industry Partner on the General Services Administration Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for Land Mobile Radio (LMR) Equipment. The purpose of the BPA, which is in support of the U.S. Department of Interior, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Justice, is to obtain Project 25 (P25)-compliant1 LMR equipment.